Princeton Juvenile Criminal Mischief Defense Lawyers
Juvenile Criminal Mischief
Some synonyms for the word "mischief" include misbehavior, disobedience, disruption and waywardness. If you are the parent of an adolescent, you've probably used these words to describe the actions of your teenager at some point. When a teen's irresponsible conduct results in New Jersey criminal mischief charges, the situation can quickly turn from frustrating to dire.
New Jersey law defines criminal mischief in the following manner: "purposely or knowingly damages tangible property of another or damages tangible property of another recklessly or negligently in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means," or "purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with tangible property of another so as to endanger person or property, including the damaging or destroying of a rental premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction proceedings." Applying graffiti to public or private property, smashing a window, setting fire to a vehicle and tampering with phone lines are just some actions that might cause the authorities to charge a juvenile with criminal mischief.
Because the definition of criminal mischief is so broad, the punishments given to juvenile defendants can range from very light to quite harsh. If damages are valued at less than $500, the charge is a misdemeanor in New Jersey (known as a disorderly persons offense). Although a juvenile defendant may have to go to a detention facility, it's also quite likely that they may simply have to pay a fine, make restitution, attend counseling and/or go on probation for a period of time. As the value of the damage increases, so too does the severity of the punishments. In addition to considering the value of the property that the defendant allegedly damaged, a judge will also look at whether the juvenile has a history of committing juvenile criminal acts.
Criminal mischief can be a somewhat tricky area of the law, whether the defendant is an adult or a juvenile. To obtain a tough punishment, the prosecution has to show that there was intent to commit the vandalism or other act of criminal mischief. If the damage was accidental or unintentional, a judge will often decide to reduce or even dismiss the charges. Whether you need legal assistance to show the courts that the situation was a simple misunderstanding or to mount an aggressive defense, the Princeton juvenile criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein may be able to help you. We will take the time to thoroughly assess all the details of your case to decide on the approach that will offer the best chance of a reduced sentence, a sealed record or even an acquittal. Please feel free to contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.